What is WikiNow
WikiNow is supposed to be a program that will improve the browsing experience and provide easy access to the Wikipedia online encyclopedia and Wikia information (content repositories). But according to security professionals, it is an adware program. Adware is a type of potentially unwanted programs whose motive is to generate profit for its developer. It have different methods of earning by displaying the advertisements forcibly to its victims. Adware software can generate pop up windows, display intrusive ads, modify the victim’s browser settings, or redirect the victim’s web-browser to unrequested web sites. Aside from causing unwanted advertisements and internet browser redirects, it also can slow down the device.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your personal information? Adware can analyze the location and which Net websites you visit, and then present ads to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Adware makers can gather and sell your surfing information and behavior to third parties.
Therefore, the adware is quite dangerous. So, we suggest you remove it from your computer ASAP. Follow the guide presented below to get rid of WikiNow from your personal computer and Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and IE.
How does WikiNow get on your PC
These days certain free programs developers bundle PUPs or adware software with a view to making some money. These are not freeware as install an unwanted apps on to your Windows personal computer. So whenever you install a new free programs that downloaded from the Internet, be very careful during installation. Carefully read the EULA (a text with I ACCEPT/I DECLINE button), choose custom or manual install type, reject all third-party applications.
Threat Summary
| Name | WikiNow |
| Type | adware software, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popup advertisements, pop-up virus, pop ups |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | WikiNow removal guide |
How to remove WikiNow (removal steps)
When the adware software gets installed on your personal computer without your knowledge, it is not easy to delete. Most often, there is no Uninstall application which simply delete the WikiNow ads from your internet browser. So, we recommend using several well-proven free specialized utilities like Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM), MalwareBytes or Hitman Pro. But the best way to remove WikiNow adware will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally run antimalware tools.
To remove WikiNow, use the following steps:
- How to manually remove WikiNow
- Automatic Removal of WikiNow adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to manually remove WikiNow
First of all, try to remove adware manually; to do this, follow the steps below. Of course, manual adware removal requires more time and may not be suitable for those who are poorly versed in computer settings. In this case, we advise that you scroll down to the section that describes how to remove WikiNow adware using free tools.
Remove recently installed PUPs
The best way to start the computer cleanup is to uninstall unknown and questionable programs. Using the MS Windows Control Panel you can do this quickly and easily. This step, in spite of its simplicity, should not be ignored, because the removing of unneeded applications can clean up the Edge, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer from ads, hijackers and so on.
Press Windows button 
, then click Search 
. Type “Control panel”and press Enter. If you using Windows XP or Windows 7, then click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. It will display the Windows Control Panel like below.
Further, click “Uninstall a program” 
It will open a list of all apps installed on your PC system. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown programs.
Get rid of WikiNow adware from Internet Explorer
If you find that Internet Explorer internet browser settings such as homepage, new tab page and search engine by default had been changed by WikiNow adware, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset internet browser procedure.
First, run the Microsoft Internet Explorer, click 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as displayed on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The Internet Explorer will display the Reset Internet Explorer settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.
You will now need to restart your PC system for the changes to take effect. It will get rid of WikiNow ads, disable malicious and ad-supported web-browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings such as home page, new tab and search provider to default state.
Get rid of WikiNow adware from Firefox
If Mozilla Firefox settings are hijacked by the adware, your browser shows unwanted pop up advertisements, then ‘Reset Mozilla Firefox’ could solve these problems. It’ll save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
First, launch the Firefox and click 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as on the image below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed in the figure below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a process to fix your problems that caused by the WikiNow adware. After, it’s complete, click the “Finish” button.
Remove WikiNow from Google Chrome
This step will show you how to reset Google Chrome browser settings to original settings. This can remove WikiNow and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware software infection. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will display the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed plugins. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Google Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of WikiNow adware
Best WikiNow adware removal tool should search for and remove adware, malware, potentially unwanted applications, toolbars, keyloggers, browser hijackers, worms, Trojans, and popup generators. The key is locating one with a good reputation and these features. Most quality programs listed below offer a free scan and malware removal so you can detect and remove undesired software without having to pay.
How to get rid of WikiNow adware software with Zemana Anti-Malware
Thinking about get rid of WikiNow ads from your web browser? Then pay attention to Zemana. This is a well-known tool, originally created just to search for and remove malware, adware software and PUPs. But by now it has seriously changed and can not only rid you of malicious software, but also protect your PC system from malicious software and adware software, as well as find and get rid of common viruses and trojans.
Installing the Zemana Free is simple. First you will need to download Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) on your MS Windows Desktop from the link below.
164113 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After downloading is done, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup as displayed below.
When the installation begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will allow you install Zemana Anti-Malware on your personal computer.
Once setup is finished, you will see window as shown below.
Now press the “Scan” button to start scanning your personal computer for the WikiNow adware. Depending on your PC, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the Zemana AntiMalware tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
Once the checking is done, Zemana will open you the results. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and press “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) will delete WikiNow and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.
Remove WikiNow from web-browsers with HitmanPro
The HitmanPro utility is free (30 day trial) and easy to use. It can scan and remove malicious software, potentially unwanted applications and adware in MS Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome web browsers and thereby remove any WikiNow ads. HitmanPro is powerful enough to find and remove malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the PC.
- Installing the HitmanPro is simple. First you will need to download Hitman Pro from the link below. Save it on your Desktop.
- When downloading is finished, double click the Hitman Pro icon. Once this utility is started, click “Next” button . HitmanPro application will scan through the whole computer for the WikiNow adware. Depending on your personal computer, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the utility is checking, you may see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- After finished, Hitman Pro will display a list of found threats. Next, you need to press “Next” button. Now click the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malicious software found.
Use MalwareBytes Anti Malware to remove WikiNow adware
Manual adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the adware may be not fully removed. We recommend that use the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) that are fully clean your PC system of adware. Moreover, the free program will help you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted applications, hijackers and toolbars that your PC may be infected too.
- Installing the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) from the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326462 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- Once the download is finished, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
- Choose “Personal computer” option and click Install button. Follow the prompts.
- Once setup is complete, click the “Scan” button to search for the WikiNow adware. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malware, adware or PUPs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished.
- As the scanning ends, you can check all items detected on your device. When you’re ready, click “Quarantine”. When the process is finished, you can be prompted to reboot your device.
The following video offers a steps on how to delete browser hijackers, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes Free.
How to stay safe online
It’s also critical to protect your internet browsers from harmful web-sites and advertisements by using an ad blocker program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
- Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
Adguard download
26659 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After downloading it, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the setup is complete, press “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your device, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, which may be found on your desktop.
Finish words
After completing the steps outlined above, your computer should be free from WikiNow and other unwanted software. The Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, IE and MS Edge will no longer redirect you to various unwanted webpages and online ads. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.
